Despite two goals from top scorer Chris Freestone Ilkeston slipped to another home defeat as Clevedon romped away 5-3 winners. The Robins were 4-1 down at half time and it could have been much worse if it had not have been for an inspired second half substitution and some sloppy finishing from Clevedon towards the end of the game.

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Despite being reliably informed that Russel Cooke was out on loan at Matlock Town and Fabian Smith had returned from a loan spell at Gedling Town I wasn't too surprised to see Cooke sitting in the bar before the game at the NMG and reading that Smith was starring for Gedling.

I am however fairly confident that Ilkeston have signed Andy Turner ( a former Tottenham Hotspurs player) for a trial period.

Ex Robin James Tevendale has joined Buxton on loan.

Ilkeston Town continued their impressive away form by beating Stourport Swifts 1-0 in front of the lowest gate of the season for a game featuring the Robins. Only 87 fans witnessed Paul Eshelby's 42nd minute winner. The victory was made all the more impressive by the fact that Ilkeston played most of the second half with ten men after Danny Holyoak was sent off.

Darren Knowles has joined the Robins from Stocksbridge Park Steels and Gavin Saxby has signed on loan from Alfreton Town. Fabian Smith (pictured left) has returned from his loan spell at Gedling Town but Adam Baum has returned to Wollaton and James Tevendale has likewise returned to Hucknall Town. Mark Lever has joined Ossett Town again on another months loan and Russell Cooke has joined Matlock Town on loan not Belper Town as reported last week (we think!).

A third new signing Scott Jones from Matlock Town hoping to make his debut on Saturday but was unavailable due to a family car accident.

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Ilkeston Town's abysmal home form continued when they were deservedly beaten by Team Bath. Debutant Gavin Smith opened the scoring for the Robins on 15 minutes but goals from Luke Prince and Andy Tilson condemned Ilkeston to a 2-1 defeat and a run of games without a league win at home which now stretches back to September. 

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It would appear that John Burns is not signing for Leek Town after all. Leek themselves claim they pulled out of the deal after it was reported on this website. Latest reports say the gifted Dubliner is in talks with  Hinckley United. We all wish John good luck in the future and he will remembered as one of the more talented players to have graced the New Manor Ground.

Other ex Robins on the move include Niall Hudson who has left Belper Town to join Ossett Town. Niall only recently returned to Christchurch Meadow after starring for Dublin City. Joining Belper Town are Alan Jefferies who has signed from Gedling Town and Paul Hurrell (pictured above left) after a very brief spell at Buxton. Russell Cooke has also reportedly joined Belper Town on loan although he was present at the NMG during Saturday's defeat against Team Bath.

On the managerial front ex Robin Pete McGurk has taken over at Shepshed Dynamo and Craig Maddison and Mark Clarke have been installed as the new men in charge at Gedling Town. It means that all the following teams Arnold Town (Bryn Gunn and Bill Brindley) Boston United (Paul Raynor) Lincoln City (Keith Alexander) Eastwood Town (Paul Cox) Long Eaton United (Glyn Stacey and Dave King) Dunkirk (Wayne Manners) Rugby United (Steve Shea) Sandiacre Town (Mark Harvey) and now Gedling Town and Shepshed Dynamo all have ex Robins on their management teams. Are Ilkeston Town a management academy?

John Burns (pictured below) has left Ilkeston Town to join Leek Town. The ex Forest midfielder impressed in his short spell at the New Manor Ground and is reputedly being paid a sizeable signing on fee and £300 a week after tax by the ambitious and obviously wealthy North Staffordshire outfit.

Ilkeston have rearranged a number of their postponed fixtures. The game against Gresley Rovers will now take place on Tuesday 2nd March and the game against Bromsgrove Rovers will take place the following week on Tuesday 9th March. Both fixtures are at the New Manor Ground (remember! That's the place were we used to go and watch football) and both will kick off at 7.45pm and not 7.30pm as printed on the posters. No dates for the games against Taunton Town and Cinderford have been finalised as yet.

Other players who have left the New Manor Ground include Paul Hurrell who has joined Buxton and Graham Lewis who has signed for Gedling Town

John Burns CAREER RECORD

Ilkeston Town continued their impressive run of away form with a 1-0 victory against Swindon Supermarine. Marc Laws got the all important goal after 46 minutes. The victory went someway to avenging the 1-0 defeat Ilkeston suffered at the hands of Swindon in Phil Stant's first game in charge.

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Ilkeston Town beat Alfreton Town 5-4 on penalties in a memorable and dramatic encounter at North Street in the Quarter Finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Marc Laws and Paul Eshelby scored for Ilkeston from open play and Michael Lyons, Danny Holyoak, James Tevendale, Marc Laws and Craig Swinscoe all converted their spot licks but the hero of the night was keeper Ross Turner who saved a Chris Goddard spot kick.

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Michael Lyons scored after 60 minutes to give Ilkeston Town a surprise 1-0 win away at high riding Rugby United.

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Ex Robin Mark Quayle became Scarborough's FA Cup hero when he scored the goal that gave the Yorkshire side a tie against big spending Chelsea in the 4th Round. Mark only scored four goals for Ilkeston and those were all in the one game in a Derbyshire Senior Cup against Mickleover Sports.

Ilkeston Town let  a two goal lead slip to lose 3-2 to lowly Evesham United. Paul Eshelby and Tony Brown scored the goals that gave Ilkeston a two goal advantage within fifteen minutes. Sloppy defending allowed Evesham United back into the game and two goals from the impressive Lee Ross and one from substitute Craig Pountney gave Evesham the lead by the 48th minute.

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Mark Lever has joined Ossett Albion on loan and Steve Coates has moved to Shepshed Dynamo also on loan.

A mystery Ilkeston Town player has posted a stinging criticism of the present state of ITFC.

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Ilkeston Town produced a very disappointing performance against struggling Bedworth United. The Robins lost 2-1 but fielded two new players in Chris Glarvey and Jamie Ironside.

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